UrbUmbrella Project Educational and awareness-raising outdoor event in the Ruģeļi area and clean-up activity

On Saturday, April 25, starting at 10:00, alongside the Great Clean-Up activities in Daugavpils, an educational and awareness-raising outdoor event “What is happening in the Ruģeļi wetland?” will take place in the Ruģeļi neighborhood near the reservoir. During the event, everyone interested is invited to join an educational hike, explore the biodiversity of the wetland, learn about nature restoration methods, and at the same time participate in cleaning up the surrounding environment.

Participants will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge about wetlands in Daugavpils, including methods of mimicking natural disturbances, restoration of important species, control of invasive species, the impact of climate change, and the importance of biodiversity conservation. The program includes an educational hike, exchange of experience, and practical participation in a clean-up of the Ruģeļi area. Visitors will also be able to ознакомиться with informational materials of the UrbUmbrella project displayed on stands, and take part in voting on their content and visual design.

Experts involved in the project will participate in the event — specialists in biodiversity protection and conservation, as well as a representative of SIA “CBF & LANDSCAPE,” the company implementing habitat restoration works — sharing their experience in practical work in wetland areas. All activities carried out in the Ruģeļi wetland are based on scientific research and are carefully monitored using modern methods such as amphibian population monitoring, eDNA research, and bioclimatic modeling.

The event is organized within the UrbUmbrella project, which aims to promote the protection and conservation of biodiversity affected by climate change and human activity through nature-based solutions in urban wetlands in Latvia and Lithuania. The project places special emphasis on public awareness and education, highlighting the importance of each individual in sustainable nature conservation.

The project “Joint nature-based preservation of biodiversity in urban wetlands of the Latvia–Lithuania cross-border region” (UrbUmbrella / No. LL-00232) is implemented from late 2025 to late 2026. Its lead partner is the Daugavpils State City Municipality, and the cooperation partner is the Zarasai District Municipality in Lithuania. The project is implemented within the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027, promoting green and sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and pollution reduction in the cross-border region.

The event “What is happening in the Ruģeļi wetland?” will take place on April 25 at 10:00 at the Ruģeļi reservoir. The meeting point is marked on the map. Please park vehicles along the roadside, not on forest roads.

Read the agenda of the event: 25.04.2026. TALKA programma UrbUmbrella_EN